Alan and David inside the derelict Whiteladies Picture House
Campaigners looking to reopen the derelict Whiteladies Picture House are calling on fans to share their memories on camera at an event on Sunday.
As reported by Bristol24-7 in November, two friends have been working tirelessly for more than a year to develop plans to redevelop the venue on Whiteladies Road into a new cultural and arts hub for the city.
The old cinema, which opened 90 years ago, has been left to rot for the last 10 years, but David Fells and Alan Mandel Butler are determined to succeed where other developers have failed – to turn this neglected, treasured Bristol landmark into a true community space where the arts in Bristol can flourish… just as the original designers had envisaged.
‘Behind the Scenes’ at The Whiteladies Picture House aims to be a series of video blogs documenting the work being undertaken to renovate the Whiteladies Picture House. Episodes will include everything from the history of the building and Bristol’s cinema heritage, to the pair’s plans for the future and everything in between.
Now they are inviting fans to share their memories and aspirations for one of Bristol’s most historic buildings.
On Sunday, the pair will be in front of The Whiteladies Picture House from 9:30am until 4pm, looking for people to appear on camera and share their thoughts for their first upcoming video blog ‘Bristol’s People’.
“This is an opportunity to share your past experiences of the Picture House, and we will be on hand to answer any questions you may have,” said Mr Mandel Butler.
“We are looking for as much support as we can gather, so that we can secure the building as soon as possible and allow everyone to see inside. So please tell your friends and come down and see us.
“The community of Bristol is integral to the success of this project and we would like to involve you all as much as possible.”
For more information about the project, visit their website or their Facebook page…
When I was very young one of my earliest memories of the Whiteladies cinema was to see the film 'Scott of the Antarctic' of the ill fated expedition of Robert Falcon Scott to the South Pole soon after its release in 1948. In the foyer there was actual equipment used and tins of food etc. – quite poignant. A cultural and arts centre showing a wide range of films is to be supported